Team USA Dominates Iroquois Behind Pannell

The United States secured the top seed and a bye to the
semifinals at the FIL World Championship by dominating the Iroquois
Nationals in the final Blue Division pool play game for both teams,
18-5. Rob Pannell scored seven goals, including the first three of
the game, helping Team USA roll out to a 10-0 lead at the halftime
break.

The seven goal outburst for Pannell is the second most in Team
USA history, tied with Brooks Sweet for a similar performance
against Australia in 1982. The all-time record is nine goals,
scored by Pat O'Meally against Australia in 1974. With 14 through
group play, Pannell is within range of the top goal-scoring
performances in team history, led by Mark Millon's 26 in 1994, with
Scott Urick (2006), Mike Morrill (1994) and Millon (1990) tied for
second with 20.

Paul Rabil had three goals and three assists, while Brendan
Mundorf (2G, 1A) and Marcus Holman (1G, 2A) also chippd into the
rout, which saw nine U.S. players score goals, six of whom also
notched at least one assist.

By dominating the possession, combining dominant play at the
face-off (Chris Eck and Greg Gurenlian combined to go 17-for-24)
and on ground balls (a 34-21 advantage), Team USA kept the powerful
Iroquois offense a non-factor through most of the game. It was only
during the third quarter that the Nationals seemed to develop a
rhythem, but they were never able to put together a run the way
they did against Canada, where they turned a 8-3 third quarter
deficit to a tie game before eventually falling on Curtis Dickson's
last-second goal.

Miles Thompson had three goals for the Nationals, with brother
Lyle assisting on two and Jeff Shattler assisting on two others.
Warren Hill made eight saves in the first half for the Iroquois,
giving way to Marty Ward (four saves) for the second half.

The Iroquois could still finish second in the Blue Division if
Australia can defeat Canada in the final game of the night by less
than three goals. Otherwise, the Nationals will be seeded third and
face Scotland in knockout play Wednesday afternoon.